Washington, D.C.— Following the Democratic primary on Tuesday, the Democratic Attorneys General Association (@DemocraticAGs) endorsed William Tong for Connecticut Attorney General. Tong serves as a state representative and as Chairman of the Judiciary Committee in the state legislature. During his tenure, he successfully passed legislation to expand protections for domestic violence victims, taken on big banks with mortgage foreclosure reforms, and supported first-in-the-nation civil rights laws to protect the LGBTQ community. Prior to public office, Tong was an experienced lawyer having practiced at the prominent law firm of Finn, Dixon & Herling LLP for 14 years.

“Connecticut voters want a leader in the Attorney General’s office that will continue the strong work of Attorney General George Jepsen, arguably the most popular elected official in the state,” said Sean Rankin, Executive Director of the Democratic Attorneys General Association. “Tong will work tirelessly to protect the people of Connecticut and put their needs above special interests. We are proud to endorse William Tong for Attorney General in Connecticut.”

In November, Tong will face Republican nominee and known Trump ally Sue Hatfield. A Trump delegate at the 2016 Republican National Convention, Hatfield also publicly supported Trump’s family separation policy.

“The people of Connecticut cannot afford to have someone in lock step with the President in the office of Attorney General,” added Rankin. “We know the person voters can trust to be a check on Trump is William Tong—he will fight against federal roll backs in women’s reproductive rights, the dismantling of healthcare coverage for pre-existing conditions, and stand up for common sense gun safety laws.”

The Democratic Attorneys General Association (DAGA) provides political and policy support to Democratic Attorneys General and candidates in their mission to protect civil rights, promote progress and diversity, fight corruption, and ensure the law is applied fairly for all of those that live and work in America.  Democratic Attorneys General play a crucial role in protecting our democracy as part of our country’s system of checks and balances. As a Committee, we are building a platform to highlight their successes and to extend their reach as they serve as the People’s Lawyers. From bringing those outside of the political arena into the fold through partnerships with General Assembly to driving the 1881 Initiative to elect more Democratic women to the office of Attorney General with Emerge America, DAGA continues to prioritize innovation, data-based decision making, communication, and relationship-building as key elements to providing political and policy support to Democratic State Attorneys General and candidates. 

For more information on William Tong, please visit DAGA’s Meet the Candidates page.